Traffic-signal reflector



' Dec. 30, 1930. v. 1.. OESTNAES ,786,95

- TRAFFIC SIGNAL REFLECTOR File d June 11, 1927 A TTORNE Y Patented Dec. 30, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VICTOR L. OESTNAES, OF WES'I'FIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR 'I.'O AMERIC AN GASAC- CUMULA'I'OR COMPANY, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY Application filed fune 11,

My invention relates to reflectors which areadapted for signalling or other like purreflector is not destroyed.

It also is an object of the invention to provide a reflector structure of a character such that information giving means may convenientliy and economically be associated therewit Another object of the invention is to provide sheets of glass or the like, having projections as stated, with cushioning means which operates as a protection against breakage during transit of the said reflectors from one place to another and also during the use of the reflector for signalling or other purposes.

To these and other ends the invention comprehends the construction hereinafter described, particularlypointed out in the claims and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. in which I have shown some convenient forms of embodiment of the invention;

' In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in transverse section taken 011 the line 1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of the reflector structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section of a reflector showing a slight modification of the structure;

TRAFFIC-SIGNAL REFLECTOR 1927. Serial No. 198,072.

Fig. 7 is a view in rear elevation of the casing or supporting frame of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a View in transverse section of another modified construction of reflector embodying the invention;

' In the several forms of construction embodying the invention, I have provided a sheet of glass or other transparent material 1, the front face of which is smooth and plane, while the rear face is provided with trihedral projections 2. The sheet of glass is provided at its outer edge with a rearwardly extending flange 3. 1 The sheet of glass 1, is of old construction and shape and will not be described further or in detail.

Thesheets of glass 1 are provided upon their rear surfaces with coatings or platings of metal 4. deposited thereon in any suitable manner or by any suitable method. The

plating may consist of silver or other like metal;

For the purpose of supporting the glass sheet with. its reflecting coating or plate of metal, I have shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, a metal frame 5 of rectangular shape, the opposite sides and ends of which in cross section are of the shape shown in Fig. 1 and consist of side portions 6 with inwardly extending flanges 7 and 8, the latter being upon the rear side of the structure and being of a width considerably greater than that of the flange 7.

The rear side and the edges of the glass sheet 1 are surrounded by a cushioning mass of material 10 which is inserted inposition while in a plastic condition, the sheet of glass being held in position in proper relation to the frame '5 while the cushioning material is placed in position as shown in Fig. 1.

The opening between the edges of the flange 7 is' of a dimension to permit the insertion of the glass sheet 1 therethrough and into position within theframe 5.

For the purpose of fastening the reflecting structure of Figs. 1 and 2 upon a support, I have provided the frame 5 at its upper and lower ends with projections or tabs '11, having holes 12 therethrough through which means may be inserted for attaching the reflector to and supporting it upon a suitable sheet 1 as shown in said Fig. 3. In order that the retention of the cushioning'material within the frame or casing 5a may be assured, the said frame or casing 18 provided upon its side with indentations 16 which extend inwardlyv and project into the cushioning material 15 The cushioning material 15 while in a plastic condition or state is placed around the glass sheet 1 to imbed the same as shown.

The frame or casing 5a is mounted upon a support 17 consisting of suitable sheet material, such as sheet metal, which may be provided with openings therein, one of which is indicated'at .18. These openings may be in the form of letters located in successive relation to each other to form or spell words.-

It will be understood that in actual practice, a number of the'reflecting devices consisting of the frame or casing 5a, glass sheet 1 and the reflecting plate or coating thereon, are located and supported in side by side relation to each other upon the support 17.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown a construction similar to that shown in-Fig. 3, except that the casing or frame 5?) is provided with an opening in the bottom thereof, which openin may be in the form of a letter. In the sai figures the opening is in the form of the letter T. Also in the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the sheet 1 with the'reflecting plating or coating of metal upon the rear surface thereof is located or supported with its front lane face in contact with the inner side 0 the bottom of the said frame or casing 5?), so-that'the flanges 3 of the sheet 1 pro ect away from the-bottom ofthe said frame or casing. Cushioning material 19 is provided within the casing for retaining the sheet of glass or other like material therein and for cushioning the latter to thereby con stitute a protecting 'means therefor. The frame or casing 5b is provided at its opposite ,ends with outwardly extending or projecting flanges 20 having openings 21 therein through which means may be inserted for securing the reflector to a support such as a sheet 22 of suitable material.

For securing the cushioning material 19 in the frame when the latter is notsecured to the support 22, I have provided projections or indentations 16 identical with those shown in Fig. 3.

In Figs. (Sand 7 I have shown a construc-v tioninwhich the greater portion of the bottom of the frame 50 is removed to form or leave a rectangular opening 25, the area of which is slightly less than the area of the front plane surface of the sheet 1. The presence of the opening 25 leaves or provides flanges 26 upon which the outer edge portions of the front face of the sheet 1 rest.

Cushioning material 27 fills the portion of the casing surrounding the sides and ends of the sheet 1 and also the rear portion thereof as is shown. The cushioning material as well as .the sheet 1 is retained in place within the casing by means of tongues 28 formed by 1 slitting the edges of the side and end flanges 29 and 30 and bending the same over the edges of the cushioning material 27. The reflector as disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7 is adapted to be mounted upon a support by fastening means, inserted through openings in the end flanges 30. 4

In Fig. 8 of the drawing I have shown a construction similar to that shown in Figs. 6 and 7, except that the tongues 28 are omitted. In said Fig. 8 the cushioning material 27 and the glass sheet are retained in position within the casing 50 by means of a plate 31 secured to the flanges of the casing 50 y means of rivets 32. The central portion of the plate 31 is cut out as indicated at 33.

The reflectors of the several forms of construction are ada ted to be used separately or individually, reflectors are spported in side by side relation to each other upon a support and if desired the front side or facing of each casing may be provided with a letter and the said reflectors may be arranged so that the letters provided thereby may be caused to spell a word or words for the purpose of furnishing such information as it may be desired to furnish by the said reflectors.

The trihedral projections of the sheets 1 have the reflecting plating of metal thereon to provide central triple reflectors, which are located, as is apparent, in contiguous relation to each other.

The cushioning material preferably possesses adhesive qualities so that it adheres tightly to the portions of the surface of the reflector with which it is in contact, in consequece of which if the glass sheet should be broken, it will be retained in position and will or may continue to 've service until a new and perfect'reflector is substituted therefor. In other words if in a construction such as is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, 6 and 7 and 8 the glas. sheet 1 should be fractured, the broken sheet would be retained in place, whereas if the cushioning material associated ut'usually a plurality of v therewith were not present, the sheet would 2'.

- ing material reduces sibility of the breaking to a-minimum the pos of the glass sheets during transportation of the reflectors-from one point to another.

It will be seen, therefore,

provldes a reflector structure possessing substantial and important features of practical advantage.

\ Havin thus described by invention, what I I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A reflector structure comprising a casing, a sheet of transparent material located within said casing, the front surface of which front surface of surface of which is plane and in contact with the light re ectmg material upon the rear side of the sai isfpilane and exposed to receive incident rays 0 ht and the rear surface of which is pro- Y I vide with projections having thereon a plating of material for reflecting light and cushioning material located within said casing and surrounding .the side and end edges and the rear surface of saidsheet of transparent that my invention tact with the sides and ends of the said glass sheet and overlying and being in contact with the light reflecting glating material-upon the rear side of the sai ,sheet.'-

my invention I have hereunto signed my name this 9th day .of Jine A. D. 1927. 1 VIGTO L. OESTNAES.

material, and means provided within said casing for engaging said cushioning material,

to retain the same together with said sheet of transfiarent material within said casing.

reflector structure adapted for use as ahighway signal com rising a sup casing havin an Qpeni ng' in the front face thereof, a reflector mounted within said casing, the front face thereof being exposed, ad-

hesive cushioning material located within. the said casing and surroundin rear surfaces of the said re and reflector within said casing.

3. A reflector structure adapted for use as a si al, comprisin a supporting casing, the out side of w 0b is open, a sheet of glass mounted within said casin y e rear surface of which is provided with contiguously related trihedralprojections, a pl Porting the side end and ector, and means for retaining the said cushioning material the front ating of light reflecting material upon the said prov ly related trihedr projections, a plating-of light reflectmg'material' upon the said projections, the said glass sheet being. located .1n the said casing with a portionof its front plane surface exposed by said opening, and

' adhesive cushiomngmaterial located within said casing and surrounding and in consheet being located in the said casing w th its front casing the.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 

